Car-loading device.



G. E. DAVISON.

CAR LOADING DEVICE- APPLICATION FILED Nov. 16. 1914.

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G. E. DAVISON.

CAR LOADING DEVICE.

APPLICATION ElLED NOV-16.1914.

Patented July 16, 1918.

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G. E. DAVISO N.

CAR LOADING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1914- 1,272,633. 7 Patented July 16, 1918. Y 46 signs-sum 4.

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CAR LOADlNG DEVICE APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1914.

Patentd July 16, 1918.

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CAR LOADING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16. 1914.

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CAR LOADING DEVICE. APPLlCATiON man NOV. 16 1914.

Patented July 16, 1918.

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UNITED STATES PATEN GEORGE E. DAVISON, OF SILSBEE; TEXAS.

CAR LOADING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Application filedNovember 16, 1914. Serial No. 872,295.

may be'readily secured in position on the car or removed therefrom. My invention further contemplates the provision of an improved loading device which is simple and economical in construction-and effective in operation, and which reduces the amount of manual labor needed to a minimum and there'bygreatly re'duces'the cost of loading operations as compared with the methods ordinarilyfollowed. Another'obj-ect of the invention is the provision of a device having the characteristics set forth, and which is supported-in such manner that the car may be readily moved not only as the loading progresses but also to vacate the trackswhen necessary to permit the passing of trains. One o-fthe more specific objects of my invention is-theprovision' of a novel and improved device for loading ties, switch timbers, beams, and the like.

The foregoinggtogether with such other objects-as may hereinafter appear or -are incident to my invention, I attain by means of a construction which I have illustrated in preferredform in the accompanying drawings, w herein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the power car which I prefer to use in connectioirwith my improved loading apparatus, certain portions of-the car beingomitted to more clearly show the power plant; Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe power car with the-roof removed; Fig. 3 is a cross section through a gondola showing my improvements applied thereto; Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the apparatus shown-in Fig. 3; Fig.5 is a transverse section through a "box car to which my improved loading device has been applied; Figs. 5 5 and '5 are views of certain details of the loading apparatus; Fig. 6-is an elevation of one side of' the car shown in'Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an elevation of the opposites-ide of the car shownin Fig.

5; Fig. 8 is a transverse section through'a box car; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a box car showing the loading apparatus in plan view; Figs. 8 and 9 are views of details of the apparatus shown in Fig. 9.

Attention isfirst directed to Figs. 1 and 2, from inspection of which it will be noted that I provide thepower car with means for generating power such as the gas engine A' andgenerator B, for operating the hoisting or power drums, also carried in the car.

I prefer to provide two independent hoisting mechanisms C and D, one for use on eachside of the car. While any suitable form of such'n'iechanism can be used, I find it desirable to mount each hoistingmechw. nism for movement laterally of the car so as to cause the hoisting drums to project beyon'd the side of the car. In the embodiment shown, I provide three T rails 7 which extend transversely of the car and are secured to the floor thereof in any desired manner. Slidably mounted between the rails, in such manner as to be securely positioned thereby, is a pair of 'shifta'ble'platforms 8 which carry the drums 9, the motors 10 andthe driving'gea'ring 11. The drums have the usual cable 12, the functions of which will hereinafter appear. The platforms 8 are shiftable'toiproject from opposite sides of the car and in order to facilitate the operation'thereof, I provide rollers 13 which bear on the lower flanges of the rails in-the manner indicated in Fig. 1. One form-of means for shifting the platform is shown in plan view in'Fig. 2. This comprises a pair of rack bars 14 mounted on each platform adjacent to the edges thereof,-which rack bars are adapted to be engaged by pinions 15 carried on the shaft 16, the ends of which are mounted in bearing blocks 17 carried on the rails 7. The shaft 16 is turned by means of a handle 18, and since the rod is fixed, it will be apparent that as it is turned, the platform will be shifted. It will be observed that the hoisting mechanism is arranged so that the drums 9 are located approximately at the outer edges of the platforms 8. By this arrangement the drums 9 are advanced to an operative position without causing the platforms 8 to projectvery far past the sides of the car, the purpose of which will be obvious. It will be understood, of course, that the motors 10 are connected to the generator B in any customary manner.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, which show my improved loading apparatus as applied to a box car, for the handling of switch timbers or other beams which are of considerable length. The loading apparatus comprises an overhead beam 19 which is adapted to be detachably sup ported on the car by certain block and tackle mechanism to be described and which carries block and tackle mechanism for effecting the transfer of the articles to be shifted. At one end, the beam 19 is provided with a bearing plate 20 which is adapted to rest on the car roof 21 substantially at the edge thereof. At this end the beam is also provided with a plate 22 which has a depending lip portion 23 provided with an eye 24 adapted to receive the hook 25 of the block 26 which constitutes a part of the block and tackle mechanism for fastening the beam. The remaining members of the block and tackle mechanism just referred to are the block 27 and the rope or cable 28, the block 27 being provided with a hook 29 which carries a chain 30. The chain 30 has hooks 31 at its ends and is of a length suflicient to permit its end portions to be passed around a pair of transverse car beams 32 and lon gitudinal beams 32 as indicated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7. The opposite end of the beam 19 is supported on a horse 33, the transverse supporting bar 34 of which is notched to receive the draft beam 19 to prevent lateral displacement thereof. In order to maintain the horse in position while the car is being moved, I provide a U-bolt 35 to receive the hook of a safety chain 36. In order to distribute the load pressure, the horse is provided-with bottom boards 33 which extend across the doorway, whereby the load on the beam is transmitted to the door posts which rest on the car floor.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 7 the beam 19 can be securely fastened in place by drawing the cable 28 taut and thereafter fastening it. It will be noted that when a load is placed on the forward end of the draft beam, the resultant pull on the rear of the draft beam is transmitted to the car frame, so that the car roof per 80 carries no part of the load.

The hoisting mechanism will now be described. This mechanism comprises two snatch blocks 37 and 38 through which the cable 12 from the power car is led. The block 37 is held in place on the car adjacent to the door by means of a chain 39, the upper end of which is hooked over the running board of the car at 40 and the lower end of which is engaged by the hook 41, and by means of the chain 42 which is passed through the hook 43 and is hooked about one of the car beams. The draft on theblock 3'? provide a spacing block 37 which is secured to the'inner face of the snatch block 37 and serves to space the snatch block from the side of the car. The snatch block 38 is swiveled in a collar 44 which is adapted to be slipped over the end of the beam 19 and which is held in place by means of a pin 45 adapted to engage any one of a number of holes 46 formed in the beam 19. This end of the beam is faced with a plate 47 to prevent splintering and the pin 45 is secured to the beam by means of a chain 48 to prevent its loss. At the end of the cable 12 is a pair of tongs 49 and at a point intermediate the tongs and the snatch block 38, the cable is provided with a pulley 50 which is free to run on the cable between the snatch block and the tongs. The pulley 50 is provided with a trip hook 51 to which is secured a short length of chain 52 which is adapted to be passed about a switch timber 55.

The method of operation is as follows. The tongs 49 are fastened in place adjacent one end of a switch timber, and the chain 52 is passed around the timber at the opposite end thereof and booked in place, after which the hoisting mechanism in the power car is operated to cause the cable 12 to lift the switch timber so that the end thereof projects into the doorway of the car. This ing the chain 52 to unwrap. The timber is now supported by the tongs 49. The opera tion is then continued and the switch timber is swung until it assumes the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, after which it can be readily shoved into place and the tongs released. In Figs. 5 5", and 5, I have illustrated details of the pulley 50 and the tongs 49, but it will be obvious that any suitable form of mechanism can be employed in place thereof.

The foregoing form of apparatus is designed chiefly for use where the articles are handled one piece at a time. Where it is possible to handle a number of articles at the same time, as, for example, Where cross ties are being loaded, I provide a novel form of loading platform to be used in combination with the apparatus above set forth. This mechanism is shown in Figs. 8, and 9, in which figures, however, the overhead hoisting mechanism is omitted, the parts and the operation being the same with the exception of the pulley 50 which is dispensed with. The loading table E, as is the case with the hoisting apparatus, is detachable and transportable. It comprises, in its pre-,

ferred embodiment, an open f 'amework of a rectangular shape and composed of piping, there being a pair of side members 56, an end member 57, and a tie member 58, all suitably coupled together. The inner ends of the side member 56 are adapted to projeet into the doorway and rest upon the door sill. At the end of each side member is a pair of swiveled lugs 59 which are adapted when swung into operative position to engage the door frame on opposite sides to prevent the platform from being pulled out of place. The outer end of the platform is supported by a pair of swinging legs 60 which are made extensible so as to meet varying conditions of service. A plurality of bottom boards 61 are supported on the side members 56 by means of the hanging straps 62. Extending from the end of the platform, and inclined with respect thereto is a pair of skids 63, the inner ends of which are supported on the end member 57-by means of the straps or hooks 6e, and the outer ends of which are provided with points 65 which are adapted to embed themselves into the ground and hold the skids in place. At the outer end of the platform, preferably arranged at a corner thereof, is an upstanding post 66 which is suitably braced by means of an angle iron 67.

The operation is as follows, the parts being in operative position as described. The sling 68 is passed about a number of ties 69 arranged transversely of the skids, and the cable 12 is hooked thereto. The power mechanism is then actuated to draw the cable 12 in, thereby dragging the bundle of ties up the skids 63. hen the ties reach the top of the skids, they abut against the upstanding post 66, which, by virtue of its location at the side of the platform, causes the ties to swing around until they are parallel with the skids, with their ends projecting toward the doorway. It will be noted that the end n'iember 57 is located above the level of the members 56, so that the ties, when clear of the member 57, automatically swing into the ear, the point of purchase being substantially above the doorway.

In practice I prefer to use a plurality of hoisting devices. I have found that the storage of the ties can be most expeditiously accomplished by six men, but it will-be apparent that as the car becomes filled, there is notsufiicient room for that number. I therefore provide a plurality of hoisting and loading devices which can be arranged on empty cars by those withdrawn from the partly filled car with the result that when the loading of the car in work is complete, no time is lost in the transfer of the overhead hoisting rig.

In practice, the cross-ties are delivered at the right of way and are strung along the track, and as the purchases are made where the timber is available, the points of de livery are scattered. Itwill also be under stood that it is necessary to move the'tie train to complete the loading of the ties strung along a given stretch of track. The construction of the loading table is such as to render it peculiarly adapted to meet the foregoing conditions without necessitating the demounting of the table. For example, where it is necessary to move a short distance, as to a nearby loading point, the skids 63 are pushed up on the loading table E and the cable 12 is hooked on the end piece 57 and the outer end of the table is raised until the legs 60 swing clear of any obstruction. If it is desired to move a greater distance, the operation is the same except that after the table has been raised to clear the legs 60, the latter are swung onto the table, so that the whole device can be shoved into the car, when the table has been raised a distance sufficient to clear the outer lugs 59 from the side of the car. hen the loading of a car is complete and it is desired to load another car, the ends of the skids 63 are freed, the inside lugs 59 are swung clear, and the whole device is tilted, leaning on the skids G3 which form a brace so as to clear the loaded car. after which the train is moved to bring the next. car in place, and the table is again attached.

The hoisting rig is light and can be readily handled, and the manipulation of the loading table, as just set forth, is so simple that the entire operation, not only of loading, but also of transfer, can be expeditiously and economically accomplished.

In Figs. 3 and 4; I have shown a loading device for loading ties into a gondola, which device has the same characteristics as the hoisting device and the loading platform previously described. In this form of mechanism the beam 19 is secured to the gondola by block and tackle mechanism as set forth, but one end of the beam is supported on the top of the side wall of the car, a lug 70 being provided on the bearing plate 20 to prevent lateral shifting of the beam. In place of the horse 33, I provide an open supporting framework 71 which rests upon the top of the opposite side wall of the car and is held in position by means of block and tackle mechanism. This framework is provided with bearing plates having lugs 74 to prevent lateral displacement. At the top of the framework is provided a recess 7 5 adapted to receive the beam 19 whereby. the beam is securely supported. In this construction the skids 63 are hooked over the top of the side wall of the car and the ties are dragged up the skids in the manner described in connection with Figs. 8 to 9 inclusive. The beam 19 is so located with respect to the framework 71 that the ties, when advanced to the top of the skids 63, take against one leg of the frame and are swung to a position in which they extend transversely of the car.

It will be apparent that the apparatus is simple and economical in form, can be readily handled and attached to all standard forms of cars, and that it increases the rapidity with which the articles may be handled, while at the same time it eliminates a major portion of the manual labor ordinarily required. Another marked advantage of my apparatus is that it is supported solely, from the car in such manner that it is possible to move the car without dismounting any of the parts. It will be understood that variations in structure can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined;

I claim 1. A car loading apparatus for railway cars comprising a member adapted to rest on the top of the car, means for detachably securing said member to the car whereby the upthrust and the downthrust on said member are transmitted to the car framing, and mechanism supported from said member for shifting the articles to be loaded.

A car loading apparatus comprising in combination a transportable member adapted to. be supported on top of the car transversely thereof, means at one end of said member for detachably securing said member to the car and transmitting the upthrust thereof to the car framing, and mechanism supported from the other end of said member for shifting the articles to be loaded.

3. A. car loading apparatus comprising an overhead member arranged transversely of the car, means for detachably securing said member to the car, and block and tackle mechanism for shifting the articles to be loaded supported from said member and detachably secured to the side of the car in substantially the same vertical plane.

AL. A car loading apparatus adapted for attachment to a car comprising in combination an overhead member adapted to be supported on the car, and block and tackle mechanism for shifting the articles to be loaded comprising a block supported from the said member, a second block detachably secured to the car framing, and a cable passing through said blocks.

5. A car loading apparatus for railway cars comprising in combination a beam, one end of which rests on the car, a horse for supporting the other end clear of the car, means for detachably securing the beam to the car and transmitting the upthrust to the car framing, and tackle mechanism sup ported from the horse end of said beam for shifting the articles to be loaded, and attached to the car below said end of the beam.

6. A car loading apparatus comprising in combination, a beam one end of which rests on the car, means for detachably securing said end to the car, mechanism at the other end of the beam for shifting the articles to be loaded, and extended bearing means intermediate said ends and between the beam and the car to transmit the downthrust over an extended area.

7. In car loading apparatus, the combinatioirwith a device for shifting ties and the like to the car from a point adjacent thereto, of means adjacent to the car and located in the path of travel so as to engage the ties near an end thereof to automatically move the ties to assume a position extending transversely of the car as the ties are in transit.

S. In car loading apparatus, the combination with a device for shifting ties and the like to the car from a point adjacent thereto, of an abutment located in the path of travel so as to engage the ties near an end thereof whereby they are turned in transit to assume a position extending transversely of the car.

9. In car loading apparatus, the combination with a device for shifting ties and the like to the car from a point adjacent thereto, of skid means adjacent to the car on which the ties are adapted to ride in a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car, and an abutment located in the path of travel so as to engage the ties near an end thereof whereby they are turned in transit to assume a position transverse of the longitudinal aXis of the car.

10. A car loading apparatus comprising a member having a three-point support on the car, and mechanism for shifting the articles to be loaded supported from said member at one side thereof in such manner as to transmit an upthrust on one point of support and a down-thrust on the other points of support. v

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of the two subscribed witnesses.

GEORGE E. DAVISON.

itnesses GEORGE SYNNESTVEDT, LETITIA A. MYERS.

Copies of this patent may be'obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

